Pages

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Interesting Lulu Knockoffs

There's not much Lululemon-related news this weeked so I thought I'd post some photos readers have sent me. Reader Ellen sent me a couple of photos she took at her local Costco. They are Tuff knockoffs of the Scoop Neck tank, priced at $13.99.

I wonder where they put the Tuff flower logo on this tank. I spot a lot of Tuff stuff at my LA Fitness.

Another reader sent me a photo of this Lulu-ish tank she found at Walmart a few weeks ago. I would say it was definitely "inspired" by the Hot Yogi Tank. The Walmart tank is more of a knockoff - similar resemblance but enough details changed so it's not identical. The Tuff tank is a total clone which is why I suspect some sort of relationship between Tuff and Lululemon.

I have bought some of the Tuff stuff, I have two define like jackets and I actually don't mind them at all. They have held up really well, I just wear them for work (I work in day care) but there has been no pilling or anything. The first one I bought is a slightly different, better style, to the second one I bought a few months later. I also bought a pair of their Groove like pants and I hate them, they don't fit right at all! The Costco I go to is in the next city so I never bothered to return them, they are in the bottom of my wardrobe for dirty jobs like painting! Because you can't try things on at Costco, other than what you can in the middle of the store, it can be hit and miss with sizing too. I find it runs small.

Been Googling....someone blogged about Tuff and where it's made last year. http://shaunalynneyoung.blogspot.com/2010/06/tuff-athletics.html Apparently it was made in Canada however the two jackets I have say 'made in China' on them. So perhaps now that they are producing in China there is a high chance it's in the same place as Lululemon. Interestingly if you google Lululemon China factory you get a whole bunch of sites that say they will ship you items directly at wholesale price!

@ Anon 9.58 pm : Your question about the Inner Awareness Tank. I have this in Passion and I love it. The material is soft like the crb and very comfy. It is low support but you can fit a flow Y underneath it and you can hardly see the straps. Because it's made of luon light even with cups, it is slightly transparent. Some people sized down for this tank but it is TTS for me.

I have a pair of Costco's groove-like pants from 1-2 years ago and they're great. Tried to get another pair about 6 months ago and the fit totally wasn't the same so I returned them. I've seen those scoop necks there for a while and while they are definitely a good price, there is no place for cup inserts and the fabric feels pretty cheap. That being said, it is clearly cut from the same pattern and actually looks like the same style as opposed to another scoop-neck knockoff I saw at one of those designer depot stores.

I actually have one of the scoop neck ones. The material is no where near as nice, and there is little support in the built in bra. I have to wear a sports bra under it. BUT.... for the price, I can definitely accept this. I actually have quite a few of the Tuff pieces, and wear them often. I have found them to fit me well, and they wash great.No pilling, no fading. I still prefer my Lulus, but I also like to have a fairly diverse wardrobe and have limited time to do laundry so they work well with my budget. Nothing beats the feel of my Lulus, but I do like these.

I love my Tuff Athletics stuff. I have two pairs of crops and a jacket. They're holding up quite well. Absolutely no pilling or fading. They also don't stink and this says a lot. I workout every day and sweat A TON.

I've only seen jackets and crops at my Seattle-area Costco but I'm hoping they'll get tanks.

I love Lulu's stuff but at a size 14, sometimes a 12, it's harder for me to fit into everything at Lulu.

The Costco stuff runs big. I bought an XL thinking it would be right but TA stuff runs bigger. I think an XL is more of a 16 in Tuff Athletics stuff. Fortunately it doesn't stretch out much. I wouldn't wear the crops for running but they work great for yoga and p90x.

I bought some of the Tuff Groove crop style but the fit was totally different - it slid down my backside - and the fabric felt yucky. I thought I would use them for around the house cleaning days but I hated the feel so I returned them.

I actually bought that tank from Walmart 2 days ago, because I was considering buying the hot class tank from lulu. The Walmart tank does have that sheer like fabric on the bottom. I ended up returning it because I didn't like the fit, and ended up buying a lulu hot class instead.

My mom's friend works at Gap and she told her about a new workout line they make which is out in stores (only at store that also have the Gap Body connecting to it). It is from their "fit" line. I ordered stuff online and also went to the store to check it out. Apparently, one of the pants they make is from the same factory that lululemon produces some of their things (my mom's friend told her this as well as the associate working at Gap when I went this weekend). The pants are pretty similar however they seemed a little scratchier and not as soft as the lululemon grooves. The jackets are very similar to the defines but run a bit bigger. They even smell the same ha ha. They were $60. I find the define jackets very snug in a 12 and I was able to get an XL at the Gap and it looks nice. Several colors to choose from too. i also picked up two tanks that are pretty dressy and cute. Overall, the prices were pretty good and some of the pieces were even on sale. It is definitely worth checking out.

The pants sold at Costco are the same fabric and manufactured in the same factory. They are the exact same just without the logo because Lulu obviously wouldn't agree to that. (I have a close friend that is the V.P. of my local costco)

I am a Lulu addict and just visited Costco and happened to come upon the cool racerback-like tanks. I had actually bought a LL cool racerback earlier today for $40. When I saw the ones at Costco for $13, I thought, surely this can't be as good of a fit, until I smelled it. My husband thought I was crazy, but it SMELLS like lulu and even has the long, skinny tearaway tag. I bought a tank and it fits and feels exactly like the $40 top which will probably be returned now.. I can't justify it if there's something exactly the same. I don't care if it's missing the LL logo, I want the color and the fit.

About Me

For 18 years I was an electrical engineer working in communications satellite system engineering. I've worked at Boeing, Booz, Allen & Hamilton, and General Electric. For the past ten years I've been a stay at home mom who keeps busy volunteering in my community and chauffeuring my three children to their activities. I live in Orange County, California.

The inaugural Sea Wheeze inspired me to take up running two years ago. I have completed ten half marathons and have three more scheduled for 2015. I mostly run these days but also go to the gym ~3-4 days a week for spin class, weight lifting, and cardio.

I discovered Lululemon six years ago and really liked the fit and performance of the clothes. I do check out other brands so if you would like me to review your product please contact me.

If you would like to contact me, my email address is lululemonaddict@gmail.com.